OTTAWA -- A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at a high school in Pembroke, Ont., making it the first COVID-19 outbreak in a school in eastern Ontario.
In a press release Tuesday evening, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) announced that a second positive case of COVID-19 in a school staff member was linked to the first.
"A second staff member, a contact of the original individual who tested positive for COVID-19, has tested positive based on a result received today (Tuesday)", the statement said. "Two confirmed cases that are linked within the school meets the provincial guideline for the declaration of an outbreak."
The RCDHU said they are confident the outbreak can be controlled.
"Fortunately, the outbreak is in a relatively confined area of the school with a small number of people at risk. Although there might be a few more cases, RCDHU is optimistic that this outbreak can be well contained without further spread throughout the school."
The health unit is reminding students, staff, and their families, to stay home from work or school when sick and to limit social activities.
A press release from the Renfrew County District School Board said that the school remains open.
"The RCDHU is not recommending any changes to student attendance at this time. The school will remain open as per its school day schedule. The RCDHU will determine when the outbreak is declared over," a statement from the school board said.
"If you are a staff member or a student who has been identified as a high or low risk contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, public health staff will contact you directly. If you have not been contacted, you are not considered to be at risk of having been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19."
